Washington: The US on Saturday welcomed the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand that concluded weeks of conflict along their shared border, encouraging both nations to uphold the Kuala Lumpur peace agreement.
According to Anadolu Agency, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Cambodia and Thailand "to immediately honor this commitment and fully implement the terms of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords," as stated in an official release.
Earlier on Saturday, military forces from Thailand and Cambodia ceased a series of deadly border skirmishes after agreeing to a ceasefire, ending 20 days of hostilities that resulted in 99 fatalities and displaced nearly a million civilians.
The two Southeast Asian countries had previously signed a peace agreement in October in Kuala Lumpur, witnessed by US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. However, the agreement was put on hold after Thai soldiers were severely injured by a landmine in a border area.
The accord followed five days of violence in July, which claimed numerous lives before the US, China, and Malaysia facilitated a truce.
The neighboring countries share an 800-kilometer (500-mile) border, with both laying claim to ancient temple sites.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the ceasefire as "a positive step towards alleviating the suffering of civilians, ending current hostilities, and creating an environment conducive to achieving lasting peace." He also commended ASEAN chair Malaysia, China, and the US for "their efforts in support of a peaceful resolution of the situation."
Guterres added that the UN "stands ready to support efforts aimed at sustaining peace and stability in the region."
China also expressed approval of the truce, with a Foreign Ministry spokesperson noting on US social media company X, "This proves that dialogue and consultation is a viable and effective way to resolve complex disputes." The spokesperson further stated that China, ASEAN, and the international community have collectively worked towards this resolution and that China will continue to facilitate communication between Cambodia and Thailand.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to meet with Cambodian counterpart Prak Sokhonn and Thai counterpart Sihasak Phuangketkeow in Yunnan from Sunday to Monday, alongside military representatives. The statement emphasized China's intent to "play a constructive role in its own way for Cambodia and Thailand to consolidate the ceasefire, resume exchanges, rebuild political trust, achieve turnaround in bilateral relations and uphold regional peace."
Additionally, Japan's Press Secretary Toshihiro Kitamura expressed Tokyo's approval of the agreement and "strongly hopes the ceasefire will be steadily implemented."